Zhang Zhizhen and Wang Xinyu won China's first mixed doubles tennis silver medal at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics on Friday. CGTN Sports Scene's Greg Laffradi caught up with Zhang at the airport for a quick interview.

Zhang was scheduled to pair with Zheng Qinwen in the mixed doubles event at the Paris Games, but Wang was asked to replace Zheng at the last minute. Although the pair didn't have much time to get familiar with each other, they did unexpectedly well as partners at Roland Garros.

Zhang, Wang and Zheng are three of the top talents among the rising generation of tennis players in China. Zhang said he hopes their performances in the French capital can help increase the sport's popularity in the country, because the more children play tennis, the better its development will be.

Zhang also became a father for the first time during the Paris Olympics. According to his wife, their daughter name is "Aoyun," which means "Olympic." Zhang said in the interview that he felt sorry he couldn't be there with his wife during the delivery. His wife has already posted a request on Sina Weibo for him to hurry back home and help change diapers.